If you ever have the opportunity, spending Christmas in Italy is a magical experience never to be forgotten. Lasting almost an entire month beginning on December 8th, the Christmas season is rich with tradition, esteemed with reverence and bountiful in delicacies and specialities of the palette. While anywhere in Italy is amazing to visit, especially for Natale, some of the larger cities offer unique experiences.
Rome
As the heart of Catholicism, Rome must be considered for Christmas if you are spiritual. The beauty and awe of midnight mass on Christmas Eve (celebrated at 10pm), at the Vatican or hearing the Pope’s Christmas message is unlike any other catholic mass you could experience. View the Christmas lights in the many piazzas throughout Rome, stopping along the way to sample Roman favorites such as the pangiallo, also known as yellow bread. This is a yellow cake with mixed nuts, fruit and honey covered with a saffron glaze. Torrone is another Roman favorite made of nougat and flavored with nuts or chocolate.
Other events to highlight while in Rome extend until early January. Christmas markets are a huge attraction throughout this time, the most popular located in Piazza Navona and Piazza Mazzini. On New Year’s Eve there is a huge celebration including fireworks in Piazza Del Popolo as well as near the Colosseum and on many of the main bridges. Various festivities are offered for Santo Stefano on December 26th and the Epiphany on January 6th.
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Naples
If you are a fan of nativity scenes, great food and warm weather, Naples is an excellent destination for Christmas. Presepi, or nativity scenes, are displayed throughout the city, some originally from the 1800s. Naples is known for their holiday food specialties including struffoli (fried dough with honey), roccoco’ (biscuits) and mustacciuoli (Christmas pastry dipped in chocolate). With weather averaging about 50 degrees, it is pleasant to tour the outdoor markets and events reserved for the holidays. Lo Sciascio, for instance, is a fun tradition of musicians and children caroling house to house.
Venice
Venice at Christmas is beautiful. One of the unique events offered is Natale di Vetro (Christmas of Glass) on Murano Island. Part of the display is a 20 foot tall glass Christmas tree. The Ghetto Square hosts Hanukkah celebrations, music and food. New Year’s in Venice is festive with fireworks, music and Bellini Brindisi (a toast) on the Eve and a cold plunge at Lido Beach on New Year’s Day. Later in the month of January, Venice is the place to be for Carnevale. Parades by boat, dancing and costumes overtake the city. The Flight of the Angels, the Ball and the costume contest in Piazza San Marco make this event larger than life.
Works cited:
- Nativity Scene in Naples [rossiwrites.com]
- Murano Island [Media Storehouse]
- How to Eat Like a Roman at Christmas [Local Aromas]
- Naples, Italy – How to Visit and Best Things To Do [rossiwrites.com]
